By any objective measure, James Borrego's proud New Orleans Pelicans entered the NBA trade deadline in a position of maximum volatility. Sitting 10 games out of the last postseason spot, armed with multiple movable contracts and several rotation-caliber starters on team-friendly deals, Joe Dumars has plenty of incentives and opportunities to reshape the roster. Instead, the front office is apparently going with continuity over capitulation. In doing so, they are sending a clear message to Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, and the fanbase about organizational intent.
Despite occupying the Western Conference cellar for most of the season, the Pelicans (13-39) have resisted making any discounted deals. Dumars has set prices and, by all accounts, has not wasted much time in the bargaining stage. Even offers for Jose Alvarado's expiring contract have been rebuffed, per reports. Jones, Murphy III, Williamson, and Saddiq Bey all started against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Still, Borrego has worked to insulate the Pelicans from the swirling speculation using an old mantra from Bill Belichick.
“Just do your job, you know, try to keep it as simple as possible,” Borrego explained. “Don't overthink it. You know it's out there, probably more so than ever with social media now. When I first came into the league, there were whispers, but not at your fingertips with the phone and all that. It's changed so much. There are so many rumors out there; just focus on the job. Keep it as simple as possible. Business as usual. It's understanding that they're human beings, you know, all these players. So, our goal is to just do our job tonight and move on from there.”
The subtext is unmistakable. In an era where trade rumors are algorithmically amplified, the Pelicans must actively manage expectations. There’s also a strategic dimension. By not making a splashy deadline move, the front office preserves some options.
Team-friendly deals for Murphy III and Jones retain their value into the offseason. Williamson’s long-term equity is better protected if he’s framed as part of a functioning on-court product rather than a distressed asset. Even Alvarado’s expiring contract can be leveraged later via sign-and-trade mechanics or cap flexibility, depending on how the summer market materializes.
Whether this approach pays dividends in the win column is secondary to the cultural signal being sent. The Pelicans are not just playing out the season. They are prioritizing continuity, competitive habits, and internal evaluation under real-game conditions. For Borrego, that means maintaining a steady operational cadence while the rest of the league deals with NBA Trade Deadline chaos.
In practical terms, Joe Dumars and GM Troy Weaver are betting that short-term stability over the next few months has long-term value for the next few years.
